Our future?
Regarding this question, even Zhang Hong—who was usually more of a free spirit than Mu—actually sat up straight.
"Congratulations, Captain Wang Hu." For once, he wore a serious expression when there were no outsiders present.
"In recognition of your recent achievements, the higher-ups have decided to establish a Special Mobile Unit, with all members being the elite of our military."
"Moreover, it will have independent decision-making authority. That is to say, while adhering to the broader strategic and tactical guidelines, you will have the autonomy to determine this unit's offensive targets."
"Hmm!" Wang Hu was quite surprised. Even Li Chengzhi hadn't expected the higher-ups to grant such extensive freedom.
As long as they followed the general direction, they could independently decide everything for their unit. What an exaggerated privilege!
His eyes flickering, Wang Hu thought for a moment and asked, "The size of the unit?"
If it were just a small force of one or two battleships, it would essentially be the same scale as the Three Ship Alliance in the original timeline.
"A total of 12 cutting-edge battleships, though only one has been launched so far. Each battleship can carry a maximum of 16 Mobile Suits."
"Before I came out, I visited the industrial zone. Three more ships on the slipways are in the final stages of outfitting."
"Given our nation's industrial strength, I believe it won't be long before the unit is fully staffed and equipped."
"Hiss~" Wang Hu and Li Chengzhi both gasped sharply, exchanging a glance.
"The Ministry of War and the cabinet are investing so heavily?" As the son of a high-ranking official, even Li Chengzhi couldn't fathom the scale of the higher-ups' plans.
After all, their usual practice was to equip one generation, develop the next, and pre-research the one after. To start producing military equipment on such a large scale...
Just how substantial were their reserves?
Rubbing his temples, Wang Hu felt both happy and worried. He was happy because, in this world where he existed, the East Asian Army showed no signs of weakness. Instead, it resembled an ambitious tiger ready to emerge and dominate.
His worry was that if they revealed all their resources at once, especially at an inopportune time, they might end up being used as a scapegoat by the Atlantic Federation.
What if the first shot of Genesis landed on their own East Asian Army?
"This is troublesome," Wang Hu muttered to himself, considering whether he should reveal his identity to the higher-ups.
But at the moment, he had no solid evidence to offer. The Homeworld was in some unknown dimension and clearly couldn't descend into this world.
If he went to the higher-ups empty-handed and claimed he had crossed over from another world, merging with his counterpart here, and that his mind contained all the future developments of this world...
Whether they believed him was one thing, but the biggest fear was that, for the sake of stability...
After all, governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish—not a single misstep can be tolerated!
"Has the domestic issue with the Neutron Jammer been resolved?" Unaware of Wang Hu's thoughts, Li Chengzhi suddenly remembered something.
With such large-scale production, how was the energy problem being solved?
Due to the impact of ZAFT's April Fools' Crisis, 70-80% of the nation's resources were focused on disaster relief. To initiate large-scale military expansion at this point in time would inevitably affect domestic disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts.
While the growth and strengthening of the East Asian Army's capabilities were undoubtedly good things, as a soldier of the East Asian Army, Li Chengzhi didn't want to see military priorities undermining people's livelihoods.
The military can endure hardships—that's not a problem, but matters concerning the people must never be neglected!
"Hmph." Hearing this, Zhang Hong glanced at Wang Hu, who was lost in thought, and his expression grew increasingly stern.
"The cabinet is taking the lead, with the Civilian Livelihood Planning Committee, the Military Industry Committee, and nine National Defense Industry Departments assisting."
"Six thousand related disciplines, eighty thousand supporting manufacturers, mobilizing over ninety million people all working toward a single goal."
"We excavated the Neutron Jammers buried deep in the mantle layer, with countless people dedicating day and night to research and decryption."
"This is a monumental feat only a great and powerful nation could accomplish. The Neutron Jammer is no longer the greatest obstacle before our East Asian Alliance!"
A heavy blow struck Wang Hu's heart. He abruptly looked up and, together with Li Chengzhi, turned their gaze toward Zhang Hong.
Their lips trembled, but for a long time, neither could utter a word.
"What, are you stunned?" Having finished the serious topic, Zhang Hong seemed to have all the bones pulled out of him, slumping back lazily like mud.
"I was just as shocked when I first heard it." Covering his eyes with his arm, Zhang Hong's tone was filled with complexity.
"Truly a great nation."
"Yes, it is great."
At that moment, Wang Hu made a decision. Since it was such a great nation, what miracle could possibly be beyond its reach?
He had been cautious to the point of timidity. While his concerns were valid, he should place more trust in it.
"Li Chengzhi, come here for a moment." Wang Hu stood up and headed toward the door.
"What is it?" Li Chengzhi, called upon, stared at Wang Hu's strange expression, still reeling from the staggering news brought by Zhang Hong.
He felt dizzy and his reactions were noticeably slower.
"I have something to discuss with you privately." Standing at the door, Wang Hu extended the invitation again.
"Oh?" Glancing at Zhang Hong, who was watching with curiosity, Li Chengzhi, light-headed and unsteady, followed him out.
Several days had passed since the advance team had come aboard. The ZAFT fleet that had been accompanying the Archangel had long since disappeared to who knows where.
On the Archangel battleship, which was about to rendezvous with the Eighth Fleet, a cheerful atmosphere concealed an undercurrent of discord.
"Sai?" Katz didn't know how many times he had seen the former campus star, Sai, with a grim expression on his face.
The once sociable and cheerful Sai had long stopped participating in group activities.
Just a while ago, he had been taking care of everyone and acting as the leader!
"Sigh." Katz actually understood why, but faced with such a situation, he had no idea how to bring it up.
Turning to see Tolle and Miriallia equally helpless, what could an ordinary person like him do?
"Kira, eat a bit more. Only a good appetite can bring good health." Nearby, Flay was fussing over Kira like a mother hen, supervising his meal.
She kept urging him to eat this and that, and the food on his plate was piled up like a small mountain.
Clearly, Kira was happy inside but genuinely couldn't eat any more.
"Flay, that's enough, really! I can't eat that much!" Holding his fork, Kira repeatedly insisted he'd had enough.
"Oh, are you rejecting my kindness?"
But under Flay's teary-eyed gaze, what else could Kira say?
Just eat! Eat it all!
"Mmm, mmm, mmm." Watching Kira devour the food voraciously, Flay nodded with satisfaction, her face beaming with contentment.
Then she said softly, "After you finish eating, rest for a while. Later, I've asked Captain Wang Hu to give you special training."
"Although your talent is remarkable, and piloting the Strike Gundam seems sufficient for the current battles..."
"The battlefield is dangerous, and war is cruel. Someone who is better prepared will always have a higher chance of survival."
"How does that East Asian saying go? 'Sweat more in training, bleed less in war.'"
"Flay..." Kira, his mouth full of food, was deeply moved. He lifted his head and looked at the girl before him with immense gratitude.
"You're now a soldier of the East Asian Alliance." Resting her cheek on one hand, Flay revealed a profile that rivaled Lacus's.
"I've also volunteered to become a soldier of the East Asian Army."
"Let's work together to end this damned war."
"I won't let you bear all the responsibility alone. No matter what, I'll always be by your side."
"In my own way, I'll stand with you until the day peace arrives and the world is transformed."
What else could he say? What more did he want to say?
Facing the girl before him, Kira almost wondered if he had fallen into a dream.
All these changes had started after Vice Foreign Minister Arsida left. From that moment, Kira had clearly sensed Flay's transformation.
To confirm this, Kira had repeatedly checked in his own way during the quiet nights. The faint bruises on his arm beneath his sleeve were proof!
"I'll work hard, for both of us," Kira mumbled through his food, vowing to himself that he would protect Flay's happiness.
And he would gift her the transformed world.
"Mhm." Nodding, Flay shifted to another pose that fully showcased her charm, watching Kira with a smile.
"But don't push yourself too hard. Remember, we still have Captain Wang Hu. Just do what we need to do."
"Ugh, so cheesy!"
Tolle and Miriallia, who had been subjected to this display of affection, shuddered. It seemed their friend Kira was on the verge of winning the beauty's heart.
While they were happy for him, they were also worried about how Kira and Sai's relationship would develop from here.
"Rain will fall, and girls will marry—let it be," Tolle shook his head. Both were his friends; who could he side with?
After all, Flay and Sai had never officially been in a relationship, and Kira and Sai had always been rivals. It wasn't as if Flay could be split in half for each of them.
"Besides," Tolle thought of another matter—something that had happened after the advance team arrived.
In the past two days, the ship's pillars, Brother Wang Hu and Captain Li Chengzhi, seemed to have changed.
Though they weren't inseparable, they were widely known as close friends.
But now, as the Archangel was about to rendezvous with the Eighth Fleet, the two had become distant and cold, not even speaking when they crossed paths.
"Sigh." Another heavy sigh escaped Tolle as he rubbed his temples. Truly, troubled times!
Just as Tolle, who had been fretting over the ship's affairs, sighed repeatedly in the mess hall, in the corridor outside the Archangel's bridge...
The other two protagonists mentioned by Tolle unexpectedly encountered each other in this narrow corridor.
"Wang Hu." Li Chengzhi stared at the familiar yet unfamiliar figure across from him.
Despite having calmed down over the past few days, he still didn't know how to face this person.
A visitor from another world?
His good friend Wang Hu's counterpart from another reality, now merged with his friend?
And not just that—the world he lived in, according to Wang Hu's account, would actually meet such an absurd ending in the future?
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